A granddad has described the moment he fell to the floor after suffering a sudden heart attack while watching a football match.

Alan Rogers, from Riverhead, collapsed while watching his local team play an away game at the grounds opposite Paddock Wood fire station last September.

The 70-year-old said: "I recall nothing at all of the day of my heart attack, and I was overwhelmed when I was told how many people had worked so hard to bring me back.

"It is so wonderful to finally meet the firefighters and ambulance staff who helped save my life – I’ll always be thankful to them.

Alan Rogers, centre, with his wife Shirley, meeting some of the ambulance and fire crew who helped to save his life

"I am also grateful to members of the football club who dived into help me and immediately started CPR, which I understand was key to my survival, as was the quick access to a defibrillator that the firefighters carried."

One moment, Mr Rogers was chatting with friends and the next, he fell to the ground.

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Moments later a number of firefighters ran to the football pitch from the fire station, and took it in turns to carry out CPR and use the defibrillator.

They kept up their efforts until the ambulance service arrived on scene, and Mr Rogers was airlifted to hospital by air ambulance.

Defibrillators

Mr Rogers paid a visit to Paddock Wood fire station earlier today (February 12) to coincide with the instillation of a new public access defibrillator outside the station.

The machines, which can save lives if used in the early stages of cardiac arrest, are currently being fitted at all Kent Fire and Rescue Service fire stations across Kent.

Paddock Wood crew manager Ken Collins said: "We have been co-responding in partnership with SECAmb from Paddock Wood for around nine years now and rarely get the opportunity to meet the people we have helped.

"It was such a pleasure to welcome Mr and Mrs Rogers to the station and it’s nice to know that, along with others on the day, we had a part in saving his life.”

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Life-saving equipment

Fire service group manager Karen Pointer said: “The roll-out of public access defibrillators at every fire station is a continuation of our combined efforts with our partners to ensure that our communities are as equipped as they can be to help save lives.

"This potentially life-saving equipment, which is housed in lit, marked cabinets will be are available for any member of the public to use in an emergency.

"They come with easy-to follow electronic verbal instructions, and will be regularly checked and maintained by firefighters at each station.

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"Having ready access to a defibrillator, together with a basic knowledge of CPR, can make a huge difference to the outcome for someone in cardiac arrest, providing potentially early life-saving intervention at a point when every second counts.

"We would encourage everyone to learn basic CPR and familiarise themselves as to the location of their nearest Public Access Defibrillator, in case they ever need to use it."

The new installations are due to be completed by next month - but there are already a number of public defibrillators located across the county.